{"id":6065,"date":"2021-05-10T08:30:55","date_gmt":"2021-05-10T14:30:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/westretch.ca\/?p=6065"},"modified":"2025-12-11T15:18:58","modified_gmt":"2025-12-11T20:18:58","slug":"how-to-start-stretching-for-beginners","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/westretch.ca\/blog\/how-to-start-stretching-for-beginners\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Start Stretching for Beginners"},"content":{"rendered":"

WeStretch is the best starting place for stretching for beginners.<\/p>\n

What is stretching?<\/h2>\n

According to Wikipedia<\/a>,<\/p>\n

\u201cStretching\u00a0is a form of\u00a0physical exercise\u00a0in which a specific\u00a0muscle\u00a0or\u00a0tendon\u00a0(or muscle group) is deliberately flexed or stretched in order to improve the muscle’s felt\u00a0elasticity\u00a0and achieve comfortable\u00a0muscle tone.\u00a0The result is a feeling of increased muscle control, flexibility, and range of motion.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

Basically, stretching is lengthening your muscles to increase your mobility<\/a> and overall well-being. At WeStretch, we have also noticed that stretching is mentally and physically restorative, and regular stretching improves balance and basic muscle tone in people of all ages.<\/p>\n

A few things to note when starting is that WeStretch is a different approach to stretching.<\/p>\n

1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Your routines will not have the same stretch done on both sides. Karen, our founder, didn\u2019t want to be bored with her stretching routines.<\/p>\n

After all, when you shoulder check while driving, you don\u2019t immediately look over your other shoulder to \u201cbalance out,\u201d right? This is physiotherapist approved, especially since your opposite joint will be stretched out in your next stretching session.<\/p>\n

2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Often, our stretches are only done for short hold times, especially when first starting out. This prevents injury from holding a stretch too long and still activates that series of tight muscles. In many of our routines, you\u2019ll repeat the same stretch a few times, which is how you increase your range of motion.<\/p>\n

3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0When you first start stretching, it will feel too easy. WeStretch intentionally starts you off with easy stretches to reduce the risk of injuries, especially if you\u2019re not used to serious stretching. That being said, even the \u201ceasy\u201d stretches are beneficial and will help to increase your flexibility and improve your balance.<\/p>\n

Examples of easy stretches for beginners<\/h2>\n

The beauty of these stretches is that most of them can be done while seated or with support if needed. Hold each of these stretches for the count of three, switch sides, and repeat five times. Follow along while you\u2019re reading this article for a great physical reset. (As always, if you feel any pain, stop immediately and see a medical professional.)<\/p>\n